Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi

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Khichdi a one-pot healthy meal, enjoyed by all ages and comfort food for many. Today I am sharing yet another healthy, protein-rich, winter favourite, Gluten-Free Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi which can be made on a stovetop pressure cooker or an Instant Pot. 

What is Khichdi?

Khichdi or Khichuri is generally a dish made using a combination of rice and lentils(dal). Khichdi literally means a mix of 2 or more things. When we combine rice with dal we get a Khichdi, a mixture of different foods.

It is one of the most common dishes across the Indian Subcontinent. Regional variations exist to this dish and each and every region has its own speciality. It is one of the comfort foods and a filling meal. One of the main reasons for its popularity is the simplicity in cooking, as it is generally a one-pot meal.

Khichdi without Rice

At times one cannot eat rice or do not want to eat rice. So Instead of rice, different types of grains are added. Like today’s Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi which is without rice. 

Another rice-free khichdi and favourite of mine is this, Daliya and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi. This khichdi is very healthy and especially best for lactating or new mothers. 

And if you are looking for khichdi without rice, and a lighter version, try this summer-friendly Pearl Barley and Mung Dal khichdi.

Masala Khichdi or Khichdi with Vegetables

Khichdi can be made plain with just rice, grains and lentils or different vegetables and spices can be added to make Masala Khichdi. Adding vegetable help increase the nutrient content of the dish and makes it more appealing.

I do make plain khichdi, but most of the time sneak in at least 1 vegetable in khichdi. It adds to the texture as well as taste.

Khichdi for Fasting Days | Vrat Ki Khichdi

Some have special diets where they do not eat grains or lentils. And during specific Indian fasts, like Navratri etc, specific grains or lentils are not consumed. For fasting or vrat, farali khichdi Samak Rice Khichdi made with Samak (Barnyard Millet) or Farali Kuttu ki Khichdi made using Buckwheat or Sabudana Khichdi is very common.

The first Main Ingredient – Bajra or Pearl Millet

I love to add grains and millets to my diet and especially seasonal. During Winters Bajra is one of my favourites. Bajra or Pearl millet is a widely grown nutritious and gluten-free millet. 

I have already detailed more about bajra in my earlier post on Bajra Idli (Steamed Pearl Millet Savour Cakes) or this healthy, calcium-rich one-pot meal, Bajre ka Bhat where Bajra is the main ingredient. However one can read more about the benefits of Bajra here.

And if you are looking for more recipes of Bajra, I have a lot of traditional Bajra recipes. Like this Stuffed Bajra Paratha or this Bajre ki Tikki, which I have made healthier by baking instead of frying.

The cooking of Bajra (Pearl Millet)

Bajra is a tough grain and has a hard skin or husk on it. It is advisable to soak bajra before cooking. At times you have bajra coming along with the husk. So it is best to remove the husk. I have detailed out how to remove the husk in my post on Bajre ka Bhat.

Time Required for cooking Bajra (Pearl Millet)

The time required for cooking Bajra depends on the quality of Bajra used. Sometimes the bajra is old and the time required for cooking is almost double. So best to buy this in small quantities. If it has hard skin or husk it would take time.

The same bajra can be cooked in 10 minutes and sometimes it takes 20 minutes. So Even though I have mentioned the time below in my recipe, you would need to check if it cooked. If not you would need to increase the cooking time. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof process. After cooking with this grain multiple times, I now try to put the time on the higher end.

To check if Bajra is cooked press it in between your fingers. It should press easily and be soft. Or you can eat slightly and check. It should be soft and not hard.

Second main Ingredient – Split Green Moong Dal

Green gram or split Green moong dal are small olive-green beans that have a sweet nutty flavour. They are easier to digest and come in many forms. Whole, split, the de-husked (yellow moong dal) and green moong dal with the husk intact.

Khichdi with moong dal is very common and in fact one of the main ingredients. Though the dal can differ, primarily moong dal khichdi is most often consumed. I have already shared this simple Yellow Moong Dal Khichdi earlier. One can replace the yellow moong dal here with the green variety.

Another similar recipe is this Jowar and Moong Dal Khichdi which uses summer friend Jowar millet instead of Bajra and yellow moong dal. As said yellow dal can be replaced with green or even with the red dal.

I also like to make this Rice Free Moong Dal Chilla or this Split Green Moong Dal Idli. Healthy, Vegan, and gluten-free protein-rich pancakes or idlis and one of the best breakfast for people with diabetes or who cannot eat many carbs.

Recipe process of Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi

So coming to today’s recipe of Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi, it is quite simple. All I do is soak bajra and dal for at least 30 minutes. The more the better, and especially with bajra. 

Then I do a simple tadka in a generous amount of ghee or clarified butter. One can use oil too, but ghee goes well with bajra and helps in the absorption of bajra. I add veggies of choice along with spices and let it pressure cook or cook in an Instant Pot. 

Now as said earlier, the same bajra I was able to cook in 3 whistles and sometimes it cooks more than 5. So you would have to test it out. I would say depending on your pressure cooker, add sufficient water and cook accordingly.

Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi is a healthy, protein-rich, winter favourite, Gluten-Free one-pot meal which can be made on a stovetop pressure cooker or an Instant Pot.

So here goes the recipe of Bajra and Split Green Moong Dal Khichdi

Updates

The recipe first appeared on Cook with Renu on 10th April 2019. Today I have updated the pics, content and added a Recipe card.

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